A tuition-free, K-12 classical charter school.
MOCA NEWS
April 28, 2011
To: Subscribers and Supporters of Muster Oak Classical Academy, La Grange, Texas
Dear Subscribers and Supporters,
The Board of Muster Oak Classical Education Foundation regrets to announce that Muster Oak Classical Academy (MOCA) will not open in 2011. After more than a year of working to open a classical/liberal arts charter school in Fayette County, we have encountered several insurmountable obstacles. Namely, we were unable to secure a facility in time for a 2011 opening.
Opening a school is a complex endeavor that we have entered into with thorough consideration and significant research including: numerous site visits and observations at outstanding classical schools and attendance at classical school seminars and faculty job fairs, as well as extensive advisory by leading classical school consultants and organizations. In order to open the school sooner, we were advised to seek an existing charter school that would be willing to open a campus in our area. Although we have found charter schools willing to expand to Fayette County, they are not classical schools. We are very committed to the classical model of education, and therefore, have been advised by officials at the Texas Education Agency that in order to ensure implementation of this model, we should pursue our own charter. This will require writing a charter application by early 2012. The Board of Directors is currently considering this option.
We appreciate everyone who has offered their support over the past year: parents, students, community members, family, friends, teachers, and leaders of other classical and charter schools.
While our delay is disappointing, there is reason for optimism for Texans interested in school choice. The Texas Legislature recently passed SB 127 that will provide authority to the commissioner to increase the number of charter schools by 10 per year. State Senator Dan Patrick introduced the legislation that will help to promote school choice by enhancing educational entrepreneurial efforts across Texas. The increase is the first since 1995 when the original charter school legislation with a cap of 215 charters was passed by the legislature and signed into law by then Governor George W. Bush.
We wish every family success as you strive to make the best education choices for your children. To the teachers and other applicants for positions at the school, we thank you for your interest in our endeavor and your ongoing commitment to classical education.
Sincerely,
The Board of Muster Oak Classical Education Foundation
Deborah Bradley Terri Hay Kelley Keen Wendy McCarty
David Schorlemer Susannah Schorlemer Judy Stribling
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We are collecting Indications of Interest from parents. Please print, complete and email this form to MusterOakAcademy@gmail.com. For ENROLLMENT INFORMATION, please stay tuned to our web site.
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What is a Classical Education?
A Historical Perspective:
Classical education originated with the ancient Greeks in the method of education they called Education Liberalis. The base word of this phrase refers to freedom. Incidentally, this method of education was the precursor to the modern day “Liberal Arts” education. Education Liberalis prepared free Greek citizens to think, express themselves and argue the issues of the day. This was important because during that time, “officials” had little power. The more persuasive the individual citizen, the more influential that person could become. In those days, education was power; it remains so today.
Read more…What is a Classical Education?
MORE ON MOCA:
The nationally recognized Ridgeview Classical Schools of Ft. Collins, Colorado, is providing curriculum, recruiting, teacher training, and other program support for MOCA.
